Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-08-10
LANGSrON's TRIAL.
A Colored Justices Opinion or the
Operation, &c.


Operation, &c.
Correspondence Of the Richmond Dispatch.l
PETERSBURG, August 8, 1887.
The eighth day of the Langston muir
der trial opened to-day with DIR. David
+. May, the expert introduced yester-
day by the defence, under rigid cross
examination by the prosecution. DIR.
MAY expressed himself as in general
opposed to laparotomy, the operation
performedupon Rufiin, the man who was
shot by Langston. The operation, he
said, while simple one, was very dan
gerous, and for this reason had not
come into general favor otherwise it
would have become common. The
Doctor was in favor of the old treat
ment. Under the cross-examination
by the prosecution the witness finally
admitted that Ruffin's wounds were
necessarily fatal, and would have proved
so under either plan of treatment, or no
treatment at all
The next witness introduced by the
defence was MIR. X. i. Brunei, an ex-
pert in the knowledge and use of pis.
tolls and small firearms, he having for
many years been engaged in the sale of
such weapons. Mr.. Brunei was handed
the pistol with which Langston shot
Rufiin for inspection, and was asked to
state its condition. He said that it
was a 32-calibre pistol in good order,
with one barrel discharged. He
then showed a ball that would tit
the pistol, and was asked whe-;.
ther such ball would lose
anything in size in passing
out of the pistol. Mr.. Brunei eX-
planned that there are two sizes of balls
for a 32-calibre pistol, known as short
and long. This was the short ball. and
in passing ont of the barrel loses none
of ITS weight, but becomes elongated
the barrel being about 1872 of an inch
smaller than the cylinder. The size Of
the ball is about 32-100 of an inch in
diameter. There are more 32-caibre
pistols sold for pocket-carrying than
any other kind.
W. II. Moore, colored justice of
the peace, was next placed upon the
stand by the defence. He testified to
seeing Ruffin taken into DIR. Nell
waines Office, and leaving that Office
for his home in DIR. Mcllwaine's buggy.
He then appeared in good spirits and
talked to those around him. He was
present at Rufin's house when the ope-
ration was performed and rendered
such assistance rs he could. In the
opinion of this witness the operation
was not performed with that care
called Tor 10y such an important case
The table upon which the patient was
placed for the operation Was too short
for his comfort. HIS legs dangitd over
the edge, and, said he, took his feet
49, in NV arms and stood there until the
operation was over and then helped 70
place Ruffin on the bed. Witness
further testified, in direct opposition TO
the physicians, that the patient
was not thoroughly under the iniiu-
ence Of chloroform, because when
he went into the room Ruflin asked
TO be allowed to speak 10 the witness,
and while the doctors we're sewing up
the wounds be said it hurt him that
they were drawing too tight. The wit
ness further said that he did not see
any towels in use. and the sheet used
was handed in from outside the door.
Moore's testimony, rejecting as 1t dld
upon that Of some OF our best physi-
clans, caused more amusement than
ANYTHING else. The prosecution asked
him no questions.
John Sharp (colored) was next
sworn. He said lie knew the prisoner
only by sight. He witnessed the shoot
ing OF Rutiin by Langston on the 4th
of April. He was coming down on the
opposite side Of the street, when he
heard some one say in very loud
voice I" If you say that stole your
pipe you are -" At the same
time this person was advancing
upon Langston with his hands
raised as if he were going to strike.
This person was Ruflin, and he con
tinued to advance ON Langston. AT
this moment gust of wind blew dust
in nv face, and as turned my head
/ heard a pistol-shot. i learned after
ward that Ruffin had been shot, and
saw the blood on his clothing. Sharp
was on the stand when the court took
q recess.
PURyEAR's EXECUTION.
Sheriff Youngblood, of Prince George,
announces that he will carry Puryear
down to the Prince George county jail
for execution Friday morning. Though
very few persons will be allowed to wit
ness the execution, it is believed that a
large crowd Of people will be on the
ground through curiosity. 1t is said
that many people will 60 down from
Dinwiddie county and from this city.
ROBIN ApAIR,